Application of Rules "Conversion of 60 day Tourist Visa (TR) to Non-Immigrant-O (retirement)"or "Extension of expired extension of stay based on Covid""

[Luckyman999]

The following Story should express not only raise my questions (which you find at the end. I would also like to explain my experience whilst I try to re-enter in Thailand in January 2021. English is not my  native language, so please excuse mistakes.

 

I was staying since 2018 in Thailand based on a initial 90 days "Non Immigration-O" Visa followed by "extension of stay based on retirement". I fullfiled the conditions for the extension based on Nationality (German) age (55 years), and the Thai Bank account in my name where are deposited more than 800.000 Baht. Since 2018 my Bank account never (not 1 Minute) fall under the value of 800.000 Baht, and I always could proof my residence (contract, payments).

 

My last "Extension of Stay" and "Re-Entry-permit" was valid until 14. November 2020.

 

At 31. July 2020 I left Thailand. I booked a flight back to Thailand for the 7. November 2020 in the hope that I could return to Thailand in time for the next "Extension of stay" Application.

 

But holder of "Non Immigrant-O Retirement Extension with valid re-entry" have not been allowed to return to Thailand before the 11. November 2020. Thats the link:  https://www.thaiembassy.at/en/coe

 

My flight was also cancelled. My Re-Entry and Extension expired whilst I was staying in Germany.

 

To re-enter Thailand I followed the advice of Ubonjoe and choose the "most simple Alternative" for re-entering to Thailand: Single-Tourist-Visa (TR, 60 days). This was a wise decision because I got the TR-Visa from the Hamburg-Consulate based on my written application in December 2020, only a small set of documents was required, it cost just 35 Euro - and after 3 days my Passport returned!

 

A pure theoretical Visa-possibility in November 2020 has been the "Non Immigrant O" Visa. The general reasons:

• A lot more documents are needed
• For Non-immigrant-Visa you can not use the consulates in Hamburg, Stuttgart or  Essen
• You have to send all documents to the consulates in Berlin, Frankfurt or Munich for a pre-check.
• If the pre-check was successful you have to arrange a personal meeting in the consulate in Berlin, Frankfurt or Munich at a Tuesday or Thursday
• Around 15 December 2020 the first free time slots of the consulates have been End of January!

 

In my personal case the application of a "Non immigrant O" in Germany was nearly impossible:

• The nearest Consulate would be Frankfurt. I was living in the north of Germany, nearly 500 km away on the country side. My record time to Frankfurt Airport with car is something like 3:50 h (yes ..Thanks the German Highways which still allow unlimeted speed  for many km .. legally you can speeding often with 200-230 km/h - also with a good car is no problem, the most "Autobahn" are still in good conditions - thank you to the idiot Adolf Hitler, and the drivers in Germany are good educted ...).
• With train I would need  to Frankfurt minimum 5 hours ... and only if all train connections going smooth. The train is going from Cologne to Frankfurt with 300 km/h + .. but reliability of train connections in Germany is a pain in the ass. 
• Whilst my planning the next problem occur: In case of important meeting which are far away I travel always 1 day before. Otherwise too risky to not arrive in time! But Hotels in Germany  have been in December in shut-down for tourists ... noone know when will be open again.
• Next problem: The weather! Actually the North of Germany drown in snow! Many streets are closed, trucks are locked, and also many train connections ae cancelled ..or had to stop for many hours in a train station because impossibility to  go on!
• Next problem: The German gouvernment set strict travel restrictions in regions with high covid Numbers. You was not allowed to move further than 15 km from your home if you not had a "important valid reason"

 

So ..thank you Ubonjoe for your advise "Tourist Visa": 

 

After I received the visa I started the process for the COE. In my opinion its simple, and the response of the Thai gouvernment after submitting documenst has been unbelivable fast.. mostly 2-3 hours.

 

At 22 January I entered Thailand with the 60-days-TR visa, so I am permitted to stay until 22 March 2021.

 

My quarantine ended at 6 February 2021 and I moved to a Apartment in Pattaya. Big advantage: The landlord works professional: In the past he prepared all needed documents which I needed for immigration in time and professional. And he is known in immigration as a "perfect landlord".

 

In the next step I want to change my 60-day-Tourist Visa to a "Non-Immigrant-O-Visa for Retirement purposes - 50 years old".

 

Ubon Joe posted the conditions of immigration:

https://bangkokimmigration.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/08-edit_NON-O.pdf

 

I would prefer to start the described process as soon as possible and not in the last minute. Now my questions regarding the conditions:

 

5.3. "Evidence of foreign Currency Fund Transfers"

The funds of my Bank book (more than 800.000 Baht) are transfered from my Bank Account in Germany to my Bank Account in Thailand.

 

Questions:

1. How is the experience with Thai Banks if you ask the evidence?

2. How much time does a Bank need for the evaluation and written confirmation?

3. Is any form available which the Bank can use or maybe MUST use? 

4. Any practical experience with Jomtien Immigration?

 

8. "Rental receipt past 3 month"

My Landlord always handed my over the lease agreements and rental receipts. In the past they always fulfilled the actual conditions of immigration in terms of form and Content. The first rental receipt I got at 6. February 21. So the second receipt I would receive at 6 March, the third receipt at 6 April.

 

And now a typical Thai problem: Immigration stated that the Documents for the VisaChangeApplication should be submitted more than 15 days befor Visa Expiration. In my case expires my Visa at 22 March. So I should handover the documents latest at 8 March.

 

At 8 March I would regulary got just receipts for 2 Month - the third receipt I would get earliest at 6 April. And to get "rental receipts for the past (!) 3 month" .. 6 January .6 February ..6 March.. is  impossible.. because I didnt stay in Thailand at 6 January and didnt pay rent. 

 

Question:

How is this handled at immigration Jomtien? any experience?

 

LAST QUESTION 

Like mentioned did my "Re-Entry" and "Extension of stay based on Non Immigrant-O-Visa retirement " expire at 14 November 2020. I scheduled a flight Germany-Thailand for 7 November 2020 in the hope to re-enter Thailand, based on my valid documents. In this case I could expect that the next "1Year Extension of stay" from 14. November 2020-14- November 2021 would be uncomplicated like ever.

 

I could not enter Thailand at all before 11 November because of the Thai travel restrictions for Holder of Non-Immigrant-O Visa.

 

Question: I dont remember the source but somewhere was mentioned that in this special case my expired "Extension of Stay" can be extended for the next year based on the Standard-Process. Is this just a  rumor or is this a option?

 

 

 

 

   

[ubonjoe]

Have you had the 800k baht in a bank for a while already? Some offices will not ask for the proof it came from abroad. Not sure what Jomtien will accept.

If you need more time you can apply for a 30 day extension of your 60 day entry from your tourist visa. The extension of it is allowed to apply for the non-o visa.

The 3 months rental proof may be a Bangkok only requirement. Best to check with the office in Jomtien about doing the 90 day non-o visa application.

When you apply for a new extension of stay it will start from the end of the 90 day entry from the non-o visa.

[Luckyman999]

@ubonJoe Thank you for the information. I transfered the 800.000 Baht in the year 2018 from my German Bancaccount to the my ThaiBankaccount and didnt withdraw the money ever.   

[ubonjoe]

1 hour ago, Luckyman999 said:

@ubonJoe Thank you for the information. I transfered the 800.000 Baht in the year 2018 from my German Bancaccount to the my ThaiBankaccount and didnt withdraw the money ever.   

At Jomtien immigration in the past they were wanting the money to be in the bank for 2 months instead of the foreign transfer requirement. Check with them about their requirements now.

[natway09]

I think you will find the money being left in the bank will be fine with no queries as to it's origins.

Certainly in Bangkok,

[Bradmeister]

Luckyman,

 

It would behoove you to deposit 100 baht at day of renewal, and have bank book updated showing the deposit of that day

 

It would also behoove you to have your Yelliw Book, and ensure landlord has paid his 800baht fee to immigration department, which most landlords will not do. Should you decide to move to another district, you will be required to pay it.

 

It would also behoove you to stop by the I/O and identify whomever you speak to about current docs, record they're name and supervisors name and station chiefs name and number.

 

Happy Hunting

[Letseng]

On 2/10/2021 at 6:09 AM, Luckyman999 said:

The following Story should express not only raise my questions (which you find at the end. I would also like to explain my experience whilst I try to re-enter in Thailand in January 2021. English is not my  native language, so please excuse mistakes.

 

I was staying since 2018 in Thailand based on a initial 90 days "Non Immigration-O" Visa followed by "extension of stay based on retirement". I fullfiled the conditions for the extension based on Nationality (German) age (55 years), and the Thai Bank account in my name where are deposited more than 800.000 Baht. Since 2018 my Bank account never (not 1 Minute) fall under the value of 800.000 Baht, and I always could proof my residence (contract, payments).

 

My last "Extension of Stay" and "Re-Entry-permit" was valid until 14. November 2020.

 

At 31. July 2020 I left Thailand. I booked a flight back to Thailand for the 7. November 2020 in the hope that I could return to Thailand in time for the next "Extension of stay" Application.

 

But holder of "Non Immigrant-O Retirement Extension with valid re-entry" have not been allowed to return to Thailand before the 11. November 2020. Thats the link:  https://www.thaiembassy.at/en/coe

 

My flight was also cancelled. My Re-Entry and Extension expired whilst I was staying in Germany.

 

To re-enter Thailand I followed the advice of Ubonjoe and choose the "most simple Alternative" for re-entering to Thailand: Single-Tourist-Visa (TR, 60 days). This was a wise decision because I got the TR-Visa from the Hamburg-Consulate based on my written application in December 2020, only a small set of documents was required, it cost just 35 Euro - and after 3 days my Passport returned!

 

A pure theoretical Visa-possibility in November 2020 has been the "Non Immigrant O" Visa. The general reasons:

• A lot more documents are needed
• For Non-immigrant-Visa you can not use the consulates in Hamburg, Stuttgart or  Essen
• You have to send all documents to the consulates in Berlin, Frankfurt or Munich for a pre-check.
• If the pre-check was successful you have to arrange a personal meeting in the consulate in Berlin, Frankfurt or Munich at a Tuesday or Thursday
• Around 15 December 2020 the first free time slots of the consulates have been End of January!

 

In my personal case the application of a "Non immigrant O" in Germany was nearly impossible:

• The nearest Consulate would be Frankfurt. I was living in the north of Germany, nearly 500 km away on the country side. My record time to Frankfurt Airport with car is something like 3:50 h (yes ..Thanks the German Highways which still allow unlimeted speed  for many km .. legally you can speeding often with 200-230 km/h - also with a good car is no problem, the most "Autobahn" are still in good conditions - thank you to the idiot Adolf Hitler, and the drivers in Germany are good educted ...).
• With train I would need  to Frankfurt minimum 5 hours ... and only if all train connections going smooth. The train is going from Cologne to Frankfurt with 300 km/h + .. but reliability of train connections in Germany is a pain in the ass. 
• Whilst my planning the next problem occur: In case of important meeting which are far away I travel always 1 day before. Otherwise too risky to not arrive in time! But Hotels in Germany  have been in December in shut-down for tourists ... noone know when will be open again.
• Next problem: The weather! Actually the North of Germany drown in snow! Many streets are closed, trucks are locked, and also many train connections ae cancelled ..or had to stop for many hours in a train station because impossibility to  go on!
• Next problem: The German gouvernment set strict travel restrictions in regions with high covid Numbers. You was not allowed to move further than 15 km from your home if you not had a "important valid reason"

 

So ..thank you Ubonjoe for your advise "Tourist Visa": 

 

After I received the visa I started the process for the COE. In my opinion its simple, and the response of the Thai gouvernment after submitting documenst has been unbelivable fast.. mostly 2-3 hours.

 

At 22 January I entered Thailand with the 60-days-TR visa, so I am permitted to stay until 22 March 2021.

 

My quarantine ended at 6 February 2021 and I moved to a Apartment in Pattaya. Big advantage: The landlord works professional: In the past he prepared all needed documents which I needed for immigration in time and professional. And he is known in immigration as a "perfect landlord".

 

In the next step I want to change my 60-day-Tourist Visa to a "Non-Immigrant-O-Visa for Retirement purposes - 50 years old".

 

Ubon Joe posted the conditions of immigration:

https://bangkokimmigration.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/08-edit_NON-O.pdf

 

I would prefer to start the described process as soon as possible and not in the last minute. Now my questions regarding the conditions:

 

5.3. "Evidence of foreign Currency Fund Transfers"

The funds of my Bank book (more than 800.000 Baht) are transfered from my Bank Account in Germany to my Bank Account in Thailand.

 

Questions:

1. How is the experience with Thai Banks if you ask the evidence?

2. How much time does a Bank need for the evaluation and written confirmation?

3. Is any form available which the Bank can use or maybe MUST use? 

4. Any practical experience with Jomtien Immigration?

 

8. "Rental receipt past 3 month"

My Landlord always handed my over the lease agreements and rental receipts. In the past they always fulfilled the actual conditions of immigration in terms of form and Content. The first rental receipt I got at 6. February 21. So the second receipt I would receive at 6 March, the third receipt at 6 April.

 

And now a typical Thai problem: Immigration stated that the Documents for the VisaChangeApplication should be submitted more than 15 days befor Visa Expiration. In my case expires my Visa at 22 March. So I should handover the documents latest at 8 March.

 

At 8 March I would regulary got just receipts for 2 Month - the third receipt I would get earliest at 6 April. And to get "rental receipts for the past (!) 3 month" .. 6 January .6 February ..6 March.. is  impossible.. because I didnt stay in Thailand at 6 January and didnt pay rent. 

 

Question:

How is this handled at immigration Jomtien? any experience?

 

LAST QUESTION 

Like mentioned did my "Re-Entry" and "Extension of stay based on Non Immigrant-O-Visa retirement " expire at 14 November 2020. I scheduled a flight Germany-Thailand for 7 November 2020 in the hope to re-enter Thailand, based on my valid documents. In this case I could expect that the next "1Year Extension of stay" from 14. November 2020-14- November 2021 would be uncomplicated like ever.

 

I could not enter Thailand at all before 11 November because of the Thai travel restrictions for Holder of Non-Immigrant-O Visa.

 

Question: I dont remember the source but somewhere was mentioned that in this special case my expired "Extension of Stay" can be extended for the next year based on the Standard-Process. Is this just a  rumor or is this a option?

 

 

 

 

   

The link you gave is for Thai Embassy in Vienna/Austria. We are not part of Germany. Plus rules for Austria often differ to Thai Embassy Germany.